Clip and scotch

To clip and scotch a set of railway points (Amer.

a switch) uses two pieces of equipment to temporarily lock a set of points into a particular position.

In this way the points are fixed in either the 'normal' or 'reverse' positions and cannot be moved by the usual setting mechanisms.

The 'clip and scotch' method can also be used to positively deny access to the turnout or mainline.

The block of wood set in the open gap is known as the wedge and is functionally equivalent to a scotch.